"I vote we turn in immediately then," said Colonel Edwards.
"Second the motion," said Colonel Anderson. "We've got to be on the move early and we've got to have some sleep first."
"Here goes, then," said Chester, and moved to his own place.
The others also sought their pallets and soon there was silence in the cavern. Completely worn out, the travelers slept like logs.
Several hours later, had they not been so completely exhausted, the sleepers undoubtedly would have heard strange noises from that part of the cavern in which Nicolas had been confined.
Came a faint grinding sound, which gradually became louder and louder, but which, after a time, ceased altogether. Then came a softer sound, that of footsteps coming slowly from the dark passageway; and a moment later Nicolas himself stepped into the glare of the fire.
His clothing was torn about the shoulders and his open hands dripped little drops of blood. He rubbed them together tenderly.
"Had I been a weaker man it would have been impossible," he muttered.
For he had pushed aside the heavy rock that guarded his prison—a rock that Ivan had believed not another man save himself could move. Apparently Nicolas had been underestimated.
Now the Montenegrin moved softly toward the entrance to the cave, fearful at every step that he would awaken the sleepers. It was dark within and this fact probably is all that prevented his escape.